Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, has provided the following answer to your written parliamentary question (HL9095):
Question by Lord ALTON of Liverpool
To ask His Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the United Nations about allegations of corruption in respect of UN World Food Programme resources for the alleviation of malnutrition and hunger in Tigray; whether the UN is investigating any such allegations; if so, when this investigation will be completed; and when the UN’s food assistance in Tigray will be restored. (HL9095)
Tabled on: 06 July 2023
Answer:
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon:
In Spring 2023, US investigations uncovered large-scale nationwide food diversion schemes. In June, the US paused their food assistance to Ethiopia, which constitutes over 80 percent of the total. The pause will remain in place until adequate oversight, monitoring and risk mitigation measures are addressed. We are part of the UN Aid Diversions Taskforce and have been pressing for a humanitarian system-wide investigation. We are working with our representatives to the UN and World Bank to find solutions.
Date and time of answer: 20 Jul 2023 at 15:07.
